Alex Van Pelt Has an Ideal QB, but Are They Available?

Alex Van Pelt met with the media this week and touched on several topics. The New England Patriots offensive coordinator has been a player or coach in the NFL for three decades. He has been around professional football and knows what he believes it takes to win. His people skills and positive approach have received a lot of attention, but his game plan and coaching are what will either win over or lose the fandom in the fall.

Not Married to a Scheme

One thing that separates Alex Van Pelt from some other coordinators is his willingness to make his scheme fit the personnel. As opposed to running a certain offense and finding players to plug into place, Van Pelt wants to mold the scheme around his personnel.

“It’s not so much about scheme, it’s about the players and putting those people in positions. There’s a lot of different schemes out there. The best ones put the best players in positions to be successful.”

In other words, fans should not get too caught up in which potential draft pick or free agent will fit perfectly into Van Pelt’s offense. Van Pelt is willing to build his offense around the best option available. That certainly gives the Patriots more flexibility when considering who will play quarterback next season and beyond. So if Van Pelt is not looking for a quarterback to fit his scheme, what is he looking for?

The Ideal Quarterback

Alex Van Pelt was a quarterback during his playing career. He has coached quarterbacks for the majority of his coaching career. In 2024, a quality quarterback is needed to make an offense run. So if he is willing to make his scheme fit the player, what kind of player is looking for to play the sport’s most important position?

“Smart, tough, and a leader. Obviously there’s accuracy in the pass game and mobility and decision-making. The guys I’ve been around that are the great players are often the best leaders and the most competitive guys.”

There was a quarterback in New England who checked a lot of these boxes last year,  though it was only for a halftime ceremony to celebrate his career. Unfortunately for the New England Patriots, to paraphrase Rick Pitino, “Tom Brady isn’t walking through that door.” Neither is Patrick Mahomes. So who is an actual possibility that fits the bill?

Are There Any Ideal Options?

There are four ways to find the next franchise quarterback for the New England Patriots. Giving Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe another year under center is one option. Val Pelt indicated there is a clean slate as far as Jones is concerned. They could also bring in a rookie quarterback, trade for one, or attempt to add one in free agency. But do any of these options check enough of Alex Van Pelt’s ideal quarterback traits?

That answer will be known in the coming weeks or months, but at least now people know what to be on the lookout for.